So should I pierce my baby's ears?
Ultimately the decision is yours but it's worth knowing the arguments for and against, other than the issue of pain.
Infection. There is always the risk of infection following a piercing, especially if the needle is not perfectly sterile. In babies under six months of age, an infection from an ear piercing could lead to hospitalisation. However, if the piercing is done by a reputable outlet, and the area is kept clean for the first six weeks the risk of infection is greatly reduced.
Keloid scars. These are unsightly lumps of scar tissue that grow around a wound. Some people are prone to the development of keloids, which tend to occur in families, and should avoid having their ears pierced at a young age. However, a recent American study found that people who had their ears pierced after puberty were four times more likely to develop keloids than those who had it done at an earlier age.
Injury. It is not unknown for children to have their earlobes ripped after a boisterous sibling or playmate has caught hold of the earring, or it has got caught in normal day to day play. It is for this reason that many primary schools forbid the wearing of earrings, or insist on plasters over the lobes if the piercing is fairly new. However, the risk of earlobe damage can be reduced if flat studs are worn.
Uneven placing. Even the best behaved children can fidget, usually totally unpredictably. A sudden movement as the ear is pierced could result in badly positioned earrings which could cause embarrassment later in life. However, a skilled technician, preferably one who specialises in paediatric piercings, would be aware of and allow for such an occurrence.
Choking. By far the most serious risk is that of choking. As a parent you will know that a lot of toys are not suitable for babies and toddlers because at this age anything small enough to fit in their mouths will go in their mouths. A stray earring that has fallen out holds a serious risk of choking for a young, child as it is small enough to be accidentally inhaled if put in the mouth.
Paediatrician, Dr Robert Steele, recommends waiting a while before piercing your baby's ears. "As a paediatrician, I tend to err on the side of safety," he says. "My personal preference would be to delay piercing your child's ears until she is at least four. Even then, it may be preferable for you to hold off until she is at an age at which she can decide for herself whether she wants to have them pierced."
Taken from Babyworld pages.